2027 Recruiting: Kaleena Smith

[RoadMaster]

 

[Sluconn Husky]

1/13

Smith: 29 points

 

[Geew1992]

 

[Sluconn Husky]

1/13

Smith: 29 points

29 points, 12 assists

 

[Zarathustra]

29 points, 12 assists

Kaleena: picture yourself and "Bean" in Navy Blue and White...
Enjoy the "unofficial" visit!

 

[BobbyJ]

29 points, 12 assists

I can't remember a PG, regardless of HS class, who had Smith's level of poise, court vision, ballhandling, and ability to manipulate both her offense and the defense to play the game at whatever pace she wants. She sees everything on the court almost in advance of the play. Plus she's an excellent shooter on 3s and can manufacture shots going to the rim. Imagine her at 5-10 or so? Obviously the speed and physicality of the college game will be huge adjustments but the very best (Moore, Taurasi etc.) talents are able to make them. She'll be amazing to watch if she can. BTW, she plays against Vukosa and CTK HS at 3 pm today.

 

[Husky fanatic]

I can't remember a PG, regardless of HS class, who had Smith's level of poise, court vision, ballhandling, and ability to manipulate both her offense and the defense to play the game at whatever pace she wants. She sees everything on the court almost in advance of the play. Plus she's an excellent shooter on 3s and can manufacture shots going to the rim. Imagine her at 5-10 or so? Obviously the speed and physicality of the college game will be huge adjustments but the very best (Moore, Taurasi etc.) talents are able to make them. She'll be amazing to watch if she can. BTW, she plays against Vukosa and CTK HS at 3 pm today.

In Springfield,MA

 

[Basingstoke]

Any tv coverage?

 

[BobbyJ]

Any tv coverage?

Baller TV whatever that is.

 

[BobbyJ]

I can't remember a PG, regardless of HS class, who had Smith's level of poise, court vision, ballhandling, and ability to manipulate both her offense and the defense to play the game at whatever pace she wants. She sees everything on the court almost in advance of the play. Plus she's an excellent shooter on 3s and can manufacture shots going to the rim. Imagine her at 5-10 or so? Obviously the speed and physicality of the college game will be huge adjustments but the very best (Moore, Taurasi etc.) talents are able to make them. She'll be amazing to watch if she can. BTW, she plays against Vukosa and CTK HS at 3 pm today.

An update on today's Ontario (87) vs CTK (75) game. Auriemma was there to see Smith get 26 pts, 12 assists, 5 steals and win game MVP. Her teammate Tatianna Griffin, a freshman, also knocked in 26. Vukosa had no problem with Bean Douglas, as she went for 25 pts and 9 reb.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Highlights of Smith and her super teammate Tatianna Griffin who UConn will surely be in on.

 

[BobbyJ]

Highlights of Smith and her super teammate Tatianna Griffin who UConn will surely be in on.

All I can do is laugh. These two kids just toy with the competition. Smith plays at whatever speed she wants and Griffin is a natural, just so physical, tough, and skilled. As a freshman! Can you imagine the NIL money that's going to be tossed at these two in 2-3 years?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

From last week's Hoop Hall Classic (1/17)

 

[Zonepress]

All I can do is laugh. These two kids just toy with the competition. Smith plays at whatever speed she wants and Griffin is a natural, just so physical, tough, and skilled. As a freshman! Can you imagine the NIL money that's going to be tossed at these two in 2-3 years?

Re NIL lots of opportunities the way Uconn is doing it (not offering $ to enroll)
With the growing popularity of WBB the game
The pay to play model could be just around the corner just like the men’s game and the players you mentioned will most likely have that opportunity

 

[Sluconn Husky]

1/25

Smith: 37 points, 6 assists

 

[AidanFan20]

Just watched that game on Kaleena's wonderful YouTube site... Shows her entire games, even for the times when she's having a tough time (a VERY rare thing!). The vids, edited down to kill the dead time, typically run some 25 minutes while showing darn near every play. She also shows extended highlights of friend's games, like Alijah Arenas, for example...

Anyway, back to the subject... In addition to what's been said by me and others here, I noticed today that she controlled her speed on break when not the ball handler REALLY well. She slows down jussst enough for a pass to be sent her way as easily as possible.

Her game is SOOOOOOO mature...

 

[Sluconn Husky]

2/1

Smith: 26 points

 

[GenoWept]

Just noticed that Kaleena Smith has unfollowed UConn on Instagram. Thought that was interesting considering I think she was following them prior to her visit in January.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Just noticed that Kaleena Smith has unfollowed UConn on Instagram. Thought that was interesting considering I think she was following them prior to her visit in January.

There was no post-visit photos or social media mention from her either. It was hard to verify she was even there.

 

[BobbyJ]

There was no post-visit photos or social media mention from her either. It was hard to verify she was even there.

Between family, fanbase, USC, UCLA, and $$, I don't believe this recruitment is one for UConn fans to get excited about. The usual Staley factor will probably keep SC in it until the end but I can't see her leaving California. Similar scenario to the Ju Ju Watkins dance.

 

[Bone Dog]

Unfollowing seems like a decisive move.

 

[darrell]

There was no post-visit photos or social media mention from her either. It was hard to verify she was even there.

I saw Sydney multiple times throughout the broadcast, I don’t believe I saw Kaleena at all.

 

[Rings R Us]

There was no post-visit photos or social media mention from her either. It was hard to verify she was even there.

I noticed on her Instagram story she did show she was at UConn at some point but no pictures or anything aftwrwards. I think she was there night before the game, because she didn't appear to be there with Sydney on Sunday.

 

[ABCDFE]

sorry to hear of this. I thought Kaleena would've been great at UCONN